In the 19th century, when photography was still in its infancy, images had to be exposed for long durations before being captured on film. The long exposure time gave way to curious Victoria-era photography conventions as subjects tried to remain perfectly still to avoid a blurry photograph.

In the 19th century, when photography was still in its infancy, images had to be exposed for long durations before being captured on film. The long exposure time gave way to curious Victoria-era photography conventions as subjects tried to remain perfectly still to avoid a blurry photograph.

And back then, children were just as squirmy as they are today. In an effort to keep a child still during a photo shoot, figures (presumably mothers) would sometimes appear as camouflaged figures in the scene — covered head to toe in sheets or blankets.

The result is a rather unsettling and haunting image that has come to be known as a “hidden mother.” We chat with curators at the Ohio Historical Society who share with us some of the haunting Hidden Mother photographs in their collections and try to explain their meaning.

One of the most memorable exhibits at the Ohio Historical Society has been an Egyptian mummy.

Technology has allowed curators to now re-create her features using forensic reconstruction techniques so that for the first time, we can all see what she — perhaps — looked like.

Amunet, along with an exhibit of other transformative objects, from the rope used to execute Lincoln’s assassins to the dress Miss America wore — are part of a new exhibition that hopes to prompt reflection about the nature of transformation, and how it can impact our lives.

Travel back to the 1950â€™s and step into a Lustron Home â€“ a fully metal home manufactured here in Columbus, Ohio. On display inside the Ohio Historical Society, the prefabricated single-family residence was the height of modern life â€“ compact and easy-care. The exhibit offers a hands-on opportunity to understand and reflect on some of the prevailing issues of the decade â€“ from McCarthyism to rock and roll.

During the 1890s and early 1900s Ohio photographer Albert Ewing traveled southeast Ohio and central West Virginia photographing people and their surrounding environment. He created an enduring record of Appalachian life at the turn of the of the last century.

During the 1890s and early 1900s Ohio photographer Albert Ewing traveled southeast Ohio and central West Virginia photographing people and their surrounding environment. He created an enduring record of Appalachian life at the turn of the of the last century.

However, the historical record is scant as to the names of the individuals represented. Do you know someone in the photographs? Could they be your grandparents or distant relatives?

Visit Ohio Historical Society or go online to ohiohistory.org to help curators identify the people in Ewing’s photographs.

We all save sentimental objects; things to remind of us seminal moments in our past. That object becomes a physical representation of a memory, of a moment in time. But when we pull that shoebox out from underneath our bed, did we squirrel away anything that dredges up negative emotions? Something that reminds us of what we'd like to forget?

We all save sentimental objects; things to remind of us seminal moments in our past. That object becomes a physical representation of a memory, of a moment in time. But when we pull that shoebox out from underneath our bed, did we squirrel away anything that dredges up negative emotions? Something that reminds us of what we’d like to forget?

Culled from the Ohio Historical Society’s own collection of such objects are five installments making what is called â€œControversyÂ Two: Pieces We Don’t Talk Aboutâ€. Immediately upon walking into the exhibit you are presented with a Nazi flag, followed by a poem written in dialect, and a child’s bowling set featuring cartoonish depictions of immigrants. It is followed by a room full of the Courier and Ives â€œDarktownâ€ series, and lastly a Cleveland Indians Jacket from 1947.

The point of the exhibit is not to assume some guilt from our collective past, to let the blatant racism wash over like a bitter rain.Â ControversyÂ Two is merely encouraging curiosity and conversation.

It’s natural in this exhibit to be affected by some objects more than others. It’s hard not to have some emotional reaction to the stark Nazi flag with the swastika emblazened on it in black. This particular flag has a story. Private Harold J. Gordon Jr. from the 175thÂ infantry regiment took the flag from a Tiger Tank on May 7th, 1945 the day of Germany’s surrender. He gave it to his father in Cleveland, Ohio. The swastika used a symbol of good luck until it became associated with Nazi Germany. The symbol still holds its power today, proudly displayed by white power organizations and neo-Nazis. It reminds us that even in what some call a â€œpost racistâ€ world, we are far from it.

Also in a not too distant past is one of the best selling Currier and Ives lithography series, Darktown. The company is known for their idyllic prints of happy and well to do people enjoying life, these Dark Town prints, again, some of their best selling, are almost like a slap in the face that still stings after 130 years. At the time of production, Currier and Ives described the series as â€œpleasant and humourous designs, free from coarseness or vulgarity.â€ That last bit is a little hard to swallow. Images like these were common at the time, with actors in minstrel shows often appearing in black face. It brings to mind truly how much what is considered â€œacceptableâ€ has changed in our media and our society.

Go seeÂ ControversyÂ II at the Ohio Historical Society for yourself to see what impacts you. It is a bold move to display such challenging objects allowing general public to make their own assumptions about. It reminds us that though our history is written by those that lived it, it is up to us to filter that information for ourselves.

Controversy II is on display through December 30th, 2012 at the Ohio Historical Society. Â Visit the website for hours and information.

Join the Ohio Historical Society Feb. 20 for HeART of Soul! to celebrate African American art, history and culture at the Ohio Historical Center in Columbus. Inspired by the museumâ€™s featured exhibition, Soul! Art from the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, the free day-long event from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. features live performances, gallery tours, hands-on activities for families, art for sale and more.

To commemorate Black History Month, three dramatic performances will tell of the accomplishments of famous and little-known African Americans. “Listening to the Still Small Voice” will feature renowned scientist and educator George Washington Carver as portrayed by Paxton Williams at 10:30 a.m. Williams, who performs as Carver across the country, is director for outreach for the George Washington Carver Birthplace Association in Diamond, Mo. At 1 and 3 p.m., Echoes in Time Theatre will present Tony Gibbs, a resident of Canal Winchester, as Ohio Underground Railroad conductor John Parker in â€œBound for the Promised Land! A Journey to Freedom.â€

Columbus native Yvette Carmon Davis will pay tribute to her grandfather in â€œThe Story of Lonnie Carmon, Aviation Pioneerâ€ at 4 p.m. Carmon, who lived in Columbus, constructed and flew his own airplane in the 1920s.

Additional performances will feature poetry, music and song by talented local groups later in the afternoon and into the evening. New Hope for Tomorrow Foundation will be present poetry and song at 4:30 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. Urban Strings will play at 6:30 p.m. and the Columbus State Gospel Vocal Ensemble will perform at 8 p.m.

Get a behind the scenes peek at â€œCapture the Moment: The Pulitzer Prize Winning Photographsâ€ over at the Ohio Historical Society. These iconic images record the defining moments of our time captured by photojournalists doing their daily jobs.

>Get a behind the scenes peek at Capture the Moment: The Pulitzer Prize Winning PhotographsÂ over at the Ohio Historical Society. These iconic images record the defining moments of our time captured by photojournalists doing their daily jobs.

]]>http://wosu.org/2012/broadandhigh/capture-the-moment-the-pulitzer-prize-winning-photographs/feed/0Ohio Historical Society,photography,photojournalismGet a behind the scenes peek at â€œCapture the Moment: The Pulitzer Prize Winning Photographsâ€ over at the Ohio Historical Society. These iconic images record the defining moments of our time captured by photojournalists doing their daily jobs.Get a behind the scenes peek at â€œCapture the Moment: The Pulitzer Prize Winning Photographsâ€ over at the Ohio Historical Society. These iconic images record the defining moments of our time captured by photojournalists doing their daily jobs.Broad and Highno